Journals from Yonsei University, Korea

2009-11-14 Dinner With Korean Friends

Delicious Tonkatsu

Back in early September I met up with my language partner Yeonji and her friend Ja Woon for dinner. They took me to a place that served really good Tonkatsu. I got mine topped with sweet potato, and it was so delicious that I didn't have any trouble cleaning my plate.
After dinner Yeonji had to head back to campus for an appointment, but Ja Woon asked to hang out with me some more. Or I should say she asked her friend in Korean to ask me if I would be ok with it. She was embarrassed with her English and worried about it only being the two of us. I come across this a lot in Korea, these people who speak perfectly good English but have a complex about it. Needless to say I told her I wasn't worried about this at all and we quickly set off for a cafe. After chatting over tea for a bit we walked around Sinchon.
Near Ja Woon's apartment there was a popular fortune-telling tent. These are very common in Korea, and it is not surprising to see lines forming outside of them. She had always wanted to try it for fun, and since she treated me to tea I paid for us to have our hands read. According to the fortune teller I have lucky lines. While I won't have a son (something I thought to be lucky...), I will have 2 husbands and 3 houses. Even though I will be a successful specialist (I should never teach), I won't have to work once I'm married after 33 because my husband will be nice and take care of me. Ja Woon's luck wasn't as good, but I told her it was probably because the lady only had so many things to say and didn't want to sound repetitive.
All in all it was a fun night and a great chance to extend my Korean circle of friends!